There is no better time than autumn for great golf on Hilton Head Island at the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

By Todd Wolff

Sam Snead said the only reason he played golf was so he could afford to go hunting and fishing. Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort - the venerable home of great golf on Hilton Head Island - overflows with reasons to play golf. And just to play, period.

A 2,000-acre resort stretching across three miles of Atlantic Ocean beach, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort features three world-class golf courses and an award-winning tennis center, plus 11 miles of lagoons, an Outfitters Shop and one of the best beaches on the eastern seaboard. In addition, the resort's Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina provides some of the island's finest waterfront shopping and dining, along with seasonal entertainment and activities for the entire family.

Indeed, excursions to Hilton Head Island are never the same trip twice. For decades, visitors have come to Palmetto Dunes with their families as well as with their friends and business colleagues. But the combining appeal of its trio of premier golf courses plus three miles of the world's most beautiful beaches has always truly stood as the difference-maker at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

"The three Palmetto Dunes golf courses receive a lot of attention, not just from golfers but from the professional staff which keeps them immaculate," said Brad Marra, Assistant Vice President of Resort Operations. "All the courses twist and turn among lakes, lagoons, marshes. It's not a stretch to say that you have to see it to believe it."

The Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course has been rated by readers of Golfweek magazine among the best courses in the Southeast. Its signature hole, the dramatic par-five 10th, offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and is widely considered one of the most spectacular holes in the United States. One of only two oceanfront holes on Hilton Head Island, the course's legendary 10th delights golfers of every skill level. In addition, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program, has designated the Jones course a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" for its commitment to providing a sanctuary for wildlife.

The George Fazio Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the island's only par-70 course, is regarded by many golfers as Hilton Head Island's most challenging championship course. Designed by George Fazio, whose name it proudly bears, the Fazio Course has been ranked among America's Top 100 Courses. The Fazio layout, which recently underwent a complete greens replacement, demands a combination of long play and precise golf shots. From its 432-yard 1st hole to its 462-yard 18th hole, the Fazio Course plays 6,873 yards from the championship tees.

The Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, where collegiate stars like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson honed their talents takes full advantage of the natural beauty of this South Carolina sea island. Named the 2009 Course of the Year by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, this spectacular layout represents a careful blend of beauty and challenge. Stands of palmetto trees line the graceful fairway.

Built on a series of rolling dunes, the Arthur Hills Course presents many opportunities for off-balance lies, while ocean breezes add to the challenge. Ten holes on the water further encourage precision play. Additionally, Arthur Hills was named a selected course by Golf Digest in its ranking of Hilton Head as No. 9 on the list of America's Best Buddies Trip Destinations for 2013. The course plays 6,651 yards from the back tees.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort caters to golfers of all level, having installed permanent junior tees on its Robert Trent Jones golf course, while the George Fazio course caters to juniors with markings of 150 yards or less. In addition, kids play free at the Robert Trent Jones Hilton Head golf course and the Arthur Hills golf course after 4 p.m. with an adult paying regular rate. There are free club fittings performed by Rod Thompson and golfers can play the latest demo clubs from TaylorMade, Nike or Cobra.

Hilton Head Island is world-renowned for its golf and its beaches, and Palmetto Dunes has both in abundance. It also has Doug Weaver, a former PGA TOUR professional and the highly respected director of instruction for Palmetto Dunes. Doug Weaver knows golf - and Hilton Head golf - as well as anyone and his free Monday golf exhibition every week is a popular attraction.

Of course, golf is not nearly the entire story at Palmetto Dunes. Ranked as the No. 1 Tennis Resort in the Carolinas and one of Top 10 Tennis Centers in the United States by Tennis Magazine, this Hilton Head tennis resort was ranked No. 2 in the world for instruction and events, No. 3 in the world for junior programs and No. 5 in the world overall by Tennis Resorts Online.

Meanwhile, tennis, golf and fishing always seem to go together well - and red fish are abundant in Hilton Head in the fall during their mating season. For those who enjoy the distinct pleasure that only a fishing pole can provide, deep-sea chartered fishing excursions for game fish that ply the Gulf Stream are available at Shelter Cove Marina, while guests also may book nature tours as well as dolphin and nature tours.

For more information about Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and its many different golf packages, call 877-567-6513 or visit www.PalmettoDunes.com. Three-round stay-and-play packages start at $131 per person per night (quad occupancy) and drop to $109 for two rounds over the three nights.

Revised: 10/30/2013 - Article Viewed 20,447 Times

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Written By: Todd Wolff

Todd Wolff is a well traveled freelance writer on golf, beer and travel. In 2005, Todd joined GolfTrips.com as the first contributor. When he is not on the links, Todd is brewing his legendary craft beers. In addition, to golf writing he is a world renowned graphic artist who has won numerous industry awards in logo design and product packaging.